TN bans all public events till August-end
CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu, under an extended lockdown over the COVID-19 pandemic, has banned all public events in the state until Aug.31.
It includes the Independence Day that falls on Saturday and the Ganesha Chathurthi that comes up next week.
Children and senior citizens should not atend Independence Day events due to the pandemic, the government said on Thursday.
Public participation is not allowed at the celebrations at the Secretariat in Chennai, where Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami would hoist the National Flag.
Five-tier security will be in place at the Secretariat, apart from Covid-prompted restrictions.
Railway stations, city airport, bus stations, children’s parks, places of worship and vital installations in the city are under high police security.
Even freedom fighters are not allowed to take part in the function this year. The police will visit them at their houses and honour them.
Sweets will be sent to the houses of many differently-abled children, a yearly routine.
The Chennai airport has asked passengers flying out to reach early enough for check-in to avoid any inconvenience.
Heightened security measures will be in place till Aug.31 midnight at the airport premises.
Officials said nearly 100,000 police personnel will be deployed across the State for security.
Chennai alone will be guarded by around 15,000 police personnel.
Police will wear masks and gloves during the parade at the Secretariat. They will keep one metre between them.
The government has also announced that Ganesha Chathurthi celebrations will not be allowed on the streets this year.
Since the lockdown is in effect, permission will not be granted to place idols of Vinayagar, hold functions, take the idols in a procession or immerse them in waterbodies.
“Ganesha Chaturthi festival is to be celebrated in Tamil Nadu on the 22nd. The government is taking various measures to prevent the spread of corona infection by avoiding public ceremonies and overcrowding in public places. “Controls are currently in place to prevent the spread of corona infection and in the public interest.
“People are requested to celebrate the festival in their house.
“People should wear mask and follow social distancing while going to buy things needed to celebrate the festival,” the order said.